DulcimerBeing a child coming of age in the Sixties, I fell in love with folk music. It's an affection that has stayed with me all through my life. So it was a great blessing when Khrysso came into my life and taught me how to play the mountain dulcimer, which is a truly American traditional folk instrument hailing from the Appalachian Mountain region. I currently own three dulcimers, and they all have their strengths and personalities.

I have two dulcimers made by luthier Ambrose Kern. My mother and I each bought one from him at a craft fair in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio in the early '80s. They hung on our walls as decorations for decades. Mr. Kern has since passed on, but I treasure his dulcimers--and they were perfect beginner dulcimers when I was ready to take them down off the wall and let them start making music! Thanks to Khrysso for making that possible for me!

I name all my instruments. It's just something I do. I also name my cars, my house, and other stuff as well. My quirk I guess. Well, one of them, anyway.

My hourglass Kern dulcimer has a sweet sound and is named Melody. The other Kern dulcimer has a more mountain-y traditional sound, and is trapezoid-shaped. I have named it Acorn. (A. Kern = Acorn -- get it?)

In 2013 I "graduated" to a custom made dulcimer, crafted by Jerry Rockwell, one of the finest luthiers this side of the Mississippi, and an incredible dulcimer musician as well. Check out his site here: http://www.jcrmusic.com/I asked Jerry to make me a dulcimer that had a mellow, dulcet sound particularly suited for flat-picking. He sure nailed it. My Rockwell dulcimer is a beautiful instrument that I have named Speedwell. (Speedwell is a wildflower, and a link to Jerry's last name.) I love going to festivals and pulling out Speedwell, only to have someone say in hushed and reverent tones, "Oh, you have a Rockwell."